Smash Bros. is not twenty years old, and this is only the fourth installment in its history...

It works both ways with these review scores, though. Some people will see all the tens, go out and buy it, and become disappointed because it was not a ten out of ten experience for them. And they'd get angry at the critic(s) for praising such an "average" game, "influencing" them to spend sixty dollars. Sorry, but if we should feel obligated to praise or even just be positively biased toward a game because of its reputation, then we are being little lemmings. I'm not saying that the game will not be exceptional, and that I won't rate it higher than McShea, but my rating will be based upon my personal experience and critiques, not dictated or even heavily influenced by critics.

Lucas, are you being sarcastic? Cause you are usually the one complaining about others who complain about review scores/content. Just recently with Animal Crossing, too. Kinda odd if you are serious here. I thought the review was just fine.

So I have this game preordered, and have definitely disagreed with Tom before (Skyward Sword), but his written view is very well done. And even if I end up rating it higher than him (who knows, I could rate it lower), he did well presenting his case..

Observation: neither this nor the 3DS had any review "badges" beneath the score. Interesting. It's also interesting that in the first paragraph the reviewer states that it's "not great," yet the original version of this game was endowed an 8.5, which means "great" according to Gamespot's ratings. This site is not very consistent.

Can't disagree with your point. I do think there should be some positive portrayals as well, though, to balance things out.

Wait...how can you not take it seriously if it's a crucial part of the game's plot? Same goes for film and literature; religion has always played a pivotal role, and now we want to act like it doesn't exist or at least portray the religious as power-hungry maniacs in all cases, which is dishonest but to be expected.

@Eastwood514

Maybe not here, but it has several on Metacritic.

@Orvell @GSJones1994

And it may or may not be a year before I buy one. I appreciate the concern, but because of life obligations, I am not a heavy gamer anymore anyways. I may complete five to six games in any given year nowadays. I personally do not need a flood of games and features to satisfy me. I actually own the original Windwaker, by the way. My point is that Nintendo has shown me enough to warrant a purchase, catering to my taste.

@Regression

Your argument is not entirely bad until you isolate some gamers by insulting their personal tastes. It then gets kind of bad. It contradicts your point of how ridiculous it is that gamers argue amongst one another. Support gaming in general? Good idea. Just remember that Nintendo's "outdated", "stale" and "childhood" franchises also count.